When your happily-ever-after fantasy has been flushed down the toilet, your ego can shrink to the size of a flea… even if you were the one who did the dumping. 'You might feel angry and lonely,' says Dr Karl Scheibe, professor of psychology and author of The Drama Of Everyday Life (Harvard University Press). 'And, in order to prove to yourself that you're still attractive, you may feel tempted to sleep around.'

How To Rebound Right: Granted, a roll in the hay can do wonders for your self-esteem, but you need to gauge how well you'll handle a fling at this point in time. Sleeping with a stranger leaves some women feeling empty, especially when they're emotionally vulnerable. You can still get an ego boost from chatting up a guy. 'Flirting makes you feel desirable and sexy, while retaining a sense of control - unlike a string of one-night stands,' says Scheibe.